US4605531A - Process for examining a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor and an examining machine for performing this process - Google Patents

Process for examining a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor and an examining machine for performing this process Download PDF

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US4605531A
US4605531A US06/442,645 US44264582A US4605531A US 4605531 A US4605531 A US 4605531A US 44264582 A US44264582 A US 44264582A US 4605531 A US4605531 A US 4605531A
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fuel assembly
examining
assembly
transmitter
ultrasonic
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Andre Leseur
Pierre Delaroche
Robert Saglio
Yves Vaubert
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Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives CEA
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Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique CEA
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Assigned to COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE reassignment COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: DELAROCHE, PIERRE, LESEUR, ANDRE, SAGLIO, ROBERT, VAUBERT, YVES
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
    • G01N29/22—Details, e.g. general constructional or apparatus details
    • G01N29/26—Arrangements for orientation or scanning by relative movement of the head and the sensor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C17/00—Monitoring; Testing ; Maintaining
    • G21C17/06—Devices or arrangements for monitoring or testing fuel or fuel elements outside the reactor core, e.g. for burn-up, for contamination
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process for examining a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor and to an examining apparatus for performing this process.
  • the prior art describes numerous designs of examining machines for nuclear reactor fuel assemblies.
  • French Pat. No. 2 298 859 filed on Jan. 22, 1975 and entitled "Apparatus and Installation for Examining the Fuel Rods of a Nuclear Reactor” describes a machine of this type. It comprises examining means making it possible to collect information on the assembly to be examined, means for displacing the examining means with respect to the assembly to be examined and finally means for processing the information collected by the examining means.
  • the examining means are constituted by a prismatic endoscope, the means for displacing the endoscope being constituted by three moving carriages, the first moving vertically on slides parallel to the fuel rods of the assembly, the second moving horizontally on slides carried by the first carriage and the third moving horizontally perpendicular to the aforementioned carriage.
  • the endoscope carried by the third carriage can be displaced in three perpendicular directions.
  • a disadvantage of a machine of this type is that the fuel assembly to be examined is held between two ends supports, which rigidly maintain it. These end supports exert stresses on the assembly.
  • the frame of a fuel assembly is of a lightweight construction and easily deforms. Visual observation of the assembly and its metrology are therefore carried out after it has been deformed, so that the measurements are falsified.
  • the measurement and examination of the assembly can be carried out when the latter is suspended by its upper end member.
  • the position of the assembly differs from the reference position used in metrology, because it is exposed to tensile stresses.
  • the frame formed by the guide tubes is of a lightweight nature and is therefore liable to deform.
  • the measurements will also be falsified if they are performed when the assembly is extended.
  • the present invention relates to a process for examining a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor, which obviates the aforementioned disadvantage.
  • This process makes it possible to examine the assembly in a position where it rests, without stress, on a reference support block. More specifically, the assembly to be examined is placed vertically on the support block on which it freely rests. It is only exposed to the stresses resulting from its own weight. Thus, it is located in the reference position used for the metrology of the fuel assemblies. Thus, this examination process permits a maximum accuracy of metrology of the fuel assembly.
  • the present invention relates to a process for examining a fuel assembly, wherein the assembly to be checked, suspended on a handling means, is brought to a support, placed vertically on said support, the assembly being in equilibrium on its base, a safety means is introduced which is located at a given level, said safety means not being in contact with the assembly, but retaining it in the case where the assembly moves out of its equilibrium position.
  • the examining means are displaced vertically with respect to the assembly to be examined by moving apart the safety means located at a different level to permit the passage of the examining means, the assembly being safely held during this operation by safety devices at a different level.
  • the invention also relates to a machine for performing the examining process according to the invention, which comprises a frame on which is arranged a support for receiving the base of the assembly and means for centering said base with respect to said support, wherein such includes at least one pair of safety devices located at a given level, said pair of safety devices being displaceable with respect to the frame, so as to be placed around the assembly and to hold it in the case when it could become unbalanced.
  • the safety means enclose the assembly without contact during its examination.
  • safety devices are provided at different levels. These safety devices alternately move back to permit the passage of the carriage carrying the examining means over the entire height of the assembly.
  • the invention also relates to an examining machine, provided with retractable guidance means.
  • an examining machine provided with retractable guidance means.
  • the guidance means are retractable so as to permit the rotation of the support block on which the assembly is located and consequently the lateral faces of its base.
  • the guidance means are in at least two parts, whereby said parts can move away from the base of the assembly so as to permit an examination of the entire height thereof.
  • the fact that the guidance means are retractable makes it possible to rotate the assembly support and consequently successively examine the four faces of the assembly.
  • protection of observation means against the radiation emitted by the assembly is possible.
  • an irradiated fuel assembly emits radiation, which damages the observation or metrology means.
  • a television camera even such a camera designed to operate under radiation, has a limited life.
  • the protection of the observation means according to the invention significantly increases their life. It is applicable to examination means constituted by a wave source directed towards the assembly and a receiver receiving the waves reflected by the assembly. The processing of the waves received makes it possible to obtain information thereon as a result of subsequent processing.
  • This protecton device comprises a mirror inclined relative to the face of the assembly to be observed and preferably by 45°.
  • This mirror reflects the waves transmitted by the wave source and greatly reduces the irradiation of the examining means. Preferably, it is transparent to ionizing radiation.
  • the wave receiver is oriented transversely to the emitted radiation and is placed behind a protective plate.
  • the invention relates to a machine for examining a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor comprising a source for transmitting waves directed towards the assembly to be examined, means for examining the assembly, which receives the waves transmitted by the source and which are reflected by the assembly.
  • the examining machines comprise a spindle, which is directed towards a mirror, which is inclined in such a way that it returns the waves reflected by the assembly to the examining means, a device providing protection against the radiation emitted by the assembly being positioned between the latter and the examining means.
  • the wave emitting source is a light source by means of which the assembly is illuminated.
  • the light reflected by the assembly is received by the television camera after being reflected by the mirror.
  • the television camera is located behind a protection device, it is not exposed to the direct radiation emanating from the assembly. Thus, its life is significantly increased.
  • the examining means may also be constituted by an ultrasonic receiver, in which case the wave transmitting source is an ultrasonic transmitter.
  • the transmitter and receiver can be combined.
  • the invention relates to a machine for examining a fuel assembly in which an ultrasonic transmitter-receiver pair is used for collecting information on the assembly to be examined.
  • the ultrasonic transmitter is a focused transmitter.
  • its focal length can be approximately 200 mm, whilst the beam diameter at the focus is approximately 1 mm.
  • This ultrasonic beam is directed perpendicular to the face to be examined.
  • the echo reflected by the different constituent parts of the assembly is received by an ultrasonic receiver.
  • This signal is then recorded, e.g. on a magnetic support.
  • the subsequent processing of these signals which does not form part of the actual invention, makes it possible to deduce a large number of measurements connected with the characteristics of the assembly.
  • the processing of the echo received makes it possible to determine the position of the different constituent parts of the assembly, e.g. fuel rods successively encountered along the displacement direction.
  • the duration of the outward and return path of the ultrasonic beam makes it possible to determine the position of the different constituent parts of the assembly, as a function of a direction perpendicular to the displacement of the transmitter-receiver pair. It is possible to deduce therefrom the kinking and arching of the assembly.
  • This examination process for a fuel assembly is advantageous compared with the prior art processes because it makes it possible to accurately measure these dimensions. Moreover, contrary to devices having mechanical sensors, this measurement is carried out without any contact, thereby obviating any risk of starting up defects in part of the assembly. Thus, it can be used for the metrology of an assembly which has to be reloaded. Unlike a television camera, it is not dependent on the illumination or lighting and permits a more accurate measurement. Finally, it operates under water, so that it can be used e.g. in the loading well or pit of flasks for transporting irradiated fuel assemblies. It is merely necessary for the medium in which it is used to be an ultrasonic conductor.
  • the ultrasonic metrology process according to the invention can obviously be used in the case of a new assembly. It can also be used in combination with the protection device described hereinbefore.
  • both the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver are positioned behind a protective plate.
  • the emitted ultrasonic beam and the reflected ultrasonic beam are reflected by the mirror at 45°.
  • the examining machine is preferably used in the case of irradiated assemblies.
  • FIG. 1 is a general view of an examining machine for a fuel assembly diagrammatically showing the pool for the storage and transfer of fuel assemblies to the examining machine.
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of a fuel assembly examining machine according to the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a simplified view of the machine of FIG. 2, more particularly showing the mirror permitting the examination of the base of the assembly and the device for centering the latter.
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of the examining machine of FIGS. 2 and 3, which more particularly shows the safety forks and retractable centering device of the assembly base.
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view of part of the examining machine according to the invention illustrating the ultrasonic measuring process of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically and in section a fuel building.
  • a large number of juxtaposed fuel assemblies 6 are located in a storage pool 3.
  • Machine 8 is located in a loading pit 5 for the transporting flasks. It comprises a tubular metal structure 14, which is made from stainless steel and fixed to a base plate 16, provided with three remotely regulatable jacks 18 making it possible to regulate its seating.
  • each irradiated fuel assembly 6 takes place in boric acid solution 10, which makes it possible to follow the handling operations, whilst ensuring adequate protection against radiation and also effective cooling for the removal of residual heat.
  • Each fuel assembly 6 to be unloaded is raised by means of a handling machine (not shown), which moves above the level of the water.
  • the fuel assembly is transferred underwater up to the examining machine 8.
  • the latter is introduced into the examining machine by a lateral groove and is then vertically introduced.
  • Arrows 12 diagrammatically illustrate the path followed by a fuel assembly during a transfer from the storage pool 3 to machine 8.
  • the assembly is lowered into machine 8, which has guidance means for its base.
  • These means are in the form of a hopper, with a square base, like the section of the assembly and which guide it on the support block.
  • FIG. 1 shows the case of using an examining machine for a fuel assembly according to the invention for checking irradiated fuel assemblies, it is obvious that it can also be used for checking new assemblies.
  • FIG. 2 is a larger scale side view in elevation of fhe examining machine according to the invention shown in FIG. 1.
  • the tubular metal structure 14, which does not form part of the actual invention, has been diagrammatically shown in mixed line form. However, a fuel assembly 6 is shown in greater detail and machine 8 ensures its visual examination and metrology.
  • Assembly 6 comprises two rigid end members, an upper end member 20 and a lower end member 22. End members 20 and 22 are connected by a certain number of rigid guide tubes which form, with the end members, the assembly frame. A certain number of spacing grids 24 are mounted on the guide tubes and hold a group of fuel rods 26.
  • assembly 6 When placed in the core, assembly 6 is positioned between an upper plate and a lower plate forming part of internal structures within the reactor vessel. Each assembly is guided in translation by centering pins with respect to the core plates.
  • the upper and lower end members 20, 22 respectively have two diagonally opposite holes 26 provided for the centering pins of the core plate.
  • Four springs 27 are provided on the upper end member 20 and serve to force assembly 6 against the lower plate of the core counter to the resulting hydraulic thrust which results, during the operation of the reactor, from the rising circulation of the cooling water between the fuel rods 26.
  • a rod of the handling machine 32 is fitted to the upper end member 20, so as to permit the handling of the assembly.
  • machine 8 has examining means which are displaced relative to the assembly to be examined. These examining means, which will be described hereinafter, are carried by a moving carriage 36, which can be vertically displaced along axis OZ of a trirectangular trihedron OX, OY, OZ.
  • An electric motor M 1 serves to vertically displace carriage 36 relative to a beam 38.
  • Carriage 36 in turn supports a second carriage 37, which can be moved transversely with respect to carriage 36 along axis OX.
  • An electric motor M 2 displaces carriage 37 relative to carriage 36.
  • the assembly 6 to be examined is positioned with respect to the reference system OXYZ. It is placed on support block 28, which constitutes a reference block for the measurements.
  • the positioning holes 26 for member 22 are used for positioning the assembly relative to support block 28.
  • the latter has two centering pins 38, identical to the centering pins provided on the lower plate of the internal structures of the core and which are consequently fitted to the positioning holes 26 of the lower end member 22.
  • Two safety means are positioned at different levels and each of them is constituted by a pair of forks, located in each case on either side of the assembly.
  • the assembly to be checked is vertically placed on support 28, assembly 6 being in equilibrium on the lower end member 22.
  • Two safety forks 34 located at a given level are moved up, said forks being displaceable in translation. They surround assembly 6 without contact and form a ring around it, which can be continuous or broken, but which in all cases will prevent it from falling if it should move out of its position of equilibrium.
  • the forks 34 diagrammatically indicated in FIG. 2, are shown in plan view in FIG. 4.
  • the visual examining means are carried by a carriage 36, which moves on a vertical beam 38 having a rectangular cross-section.
  • An electric motor is responsible for the displacement of carriage 36 relative to beam 38 via a winch and a chain (not shown).
  • Forks 34 move back in an alternating manner to permit the passage of carriage 36, as well as the metrology and visual examination of the entire height of assembly 6.
  • the examination process according to the invention consequently provides an advantage compared wth the presently known examining processes and machines. It makes it possible to examine the entire height of the assembly.
  • the support members generally used for holding it at its two ends prevent the checking and inspection of the end members of the assembly 20, as well as that of springs 27.
  • Machine 8 has visual observation means. These comprise a television camera 40, which can be moved transversely with respect to carriage 36, as can be seen in FIG. 4, which is a plan view of the examining machine 8 and make it possible to carry out a scan along axis OX.
  • a television camera 40 which can be moved transversely with respect to carriage 36, as can be seen in FIG. 4, which is a plan view of the examining machine 8 and make it possible to carry out a scan along axis OX.
  • Mirror 48 carried by an arm 44 is located on the other side of the assembly with respect to camera 40. Arm 44 is integral with a carriage 46 displaceable along axis OX in order to retract mirror 48. In FIG. 3, this mirror is shown in the extended position. Mirror 48 makes it possible to visually observe the end of the lower end member 42 of the assembly.
  • Mirror 148 (diagrammatically shown in FIG. 2) placed in the upper part of machine 8 for examining the head of assembly 6 and springs 27. Mirror 148 can be manually raised by a rope connected to an arm (not shown), to which it is fixed.
  • FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows the end of assembly 6, with a lower spacing grid 24 for the fuel elements shown in mixed lines.
  • Assembly 6 is suspended on rod 32 (cf. FIG. 2) of the handling machine and is kept at a suitable distance from mirror 38.
  • Television camera 40 carried by examining carriage 36, is brought level with mirror 38, which makes it possible to examine the bottom of the assembly, as is diagrammatically indicated by arrow 42.
  • Mirror 48 is displaceable in translation, as is diagrammatically indicated by arrow 49.
  • a motor 50 ensures the displacement in translation of carriage 46.
  • the visual examination of the base of assembly 6 takes place at the time of raising it, i.e. at the end of the examination.
  • the examination of the base must take place when the assembly is approximately at mid-height of machine 8. If carriage 46 is locked when the assembly was in this position, it would not be possible to carry out the remaining measurements. However, it is less prejudicial if carriage 46 locks at the time of raising assembly 6, because then all the other measurements have been carried out.
  • a shearing pin is provided on spindle 54 of arm 44. If, as a result of an unsatisfactory operation, e.g. of the end of travel contacts, the assembly struck mirror 48, the pin would shear and the arm would pass by gravity into position 44', indicated by the dotted lines.
  • guidance means 56 are provided and are in several parts, e.g. two parts.
  • the base of the assembly to be examined and in particular the lower end member is centered by a frustum, which makes it possible to guide it until the centering pins 30 engage in positioning holes 26.
  • these guidance means for the base are not detachable, so that they are prejudicial to the observation of the lower part of the assembly, when the latter is in place.
  • these guidance means 56 are in two parts, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 4. They are located at the end of an articulated arm 58, an electric motor 60 being responsible for the opening and closing of the two arms 58.
  • FIG. 4 only shows one of these two arms, in order not to make the drawing too complicated. When they are moved together, they form a conical frustum with a square base, which ensures the guidance of the assembly during its presentation. Thus, as a result of this device, it is possible to examine the assembly when it rests freely on its base, which is the reference position used in metrology and without being disturbed by the guidance means.
  • the examining machine 8 also has further examining means. They are constituted by ultrasonic transmitter-receiver pairs.
  • An ultrasonic transmitter-receiver pair makes it possible to determine in a single measurement, the position of a rod 26 or some other part of the assembly along axes OX and OY. It is displaced along axis OX (cf. FIG. 5).
  • the echo is received by the receiver and is then associated with the coordinates of the machine, supplied by various coders (angular position of the support block 28, position at Z of carriage 36 and position at X of carriage 37) of the machine, it then being recorded on a magnetic support and displayed.
  • the echo received is at a maximum when the transmitter-receiver pair is level with the geometrical axis. The determination of this maximum consequently makes it possible to deduce the true position of rod 26 along axis OX.
  • the duration of the outward and return path of the ultrasonic beam makes it possible to deduce the position along axis OY of a rod or a random part, e.g. the position 68 of rod 26'.
  • each transducer operates in transmission-reception.
  • the opposite transducers are made to operate, one as a transmitter and the other as a receiver, in order to calculate the corrections to be made in the case of a variation of the ultrasonic velocity in the medium under various influences, such as for example the temperature and the boron concentration.
  • a third focused ultrasonic transducer 164 moves vertically and integrally of carriage 36 in front of a fixed rule 72 carrying horizontal marks 70.
  • This transducer makes it possible to have an absolute definition in Z of the start and finish of the areas to be examined (e.g. grids) whilst also ensuring the synchronization of the electronics for measuring the transit times in water of the ultrasonics (synchronization of the validation signals of the echoes).
  • the invention also relates to a device for protecting the examining means, obviating the aforementioned disadvantage.
  • FIG. 5 shows the construction of this protective device applied to ultrasonic transmitter-receiver pairs 64.
  • Assembly 6 is shown in cross-sectional form and only the outer rods 26 appear.
  • the two arms 65 are displaceable on either side of the assembly 6, in the direction of axis OX.
  • a mirror 62 At the end of each arm 65, there is a mirror 62, oriented at 45° relative to the axis OX.
  • Each mirror 62 limits the importance of the radiation received by the transducer, but reflects the ultrasonics.
  • the ultrasonic beam is reflected by 90° on the outward path, reflected by rods 26 or some other member and then reflected by 90° in the reverse direction after being received.
  • Mirror 62 is, for example, a titanium mirror.
  • a protective device 66 is inserted between the examining means 64 and the irradiated assembly 6.
  • This protection device 66 is, for example, constituted by a shell made from Denal, which is a fritted tungsten alloy.
  • the advantages of the ultrasonic measuring process according to the invention are as follows. It firstly makes it possible to perform a measurement without contact, particularly with fuel rods 26. This represents an advantage compared with mechanical sensors, which can cause faults to start on the fuel rod sheaths. Thus, they cannot be used on an irradiated assembly, which has been embrittled by said irradiation. Moreover, the image supplied by a television camera is highly dependent on the illumination and an particular does not make it possible to accurately determine the axis of a rod. However, the ultrasonic measuring device does not suffer from this disadvantage and ensures greater accuracy than that obtained with a television camera. Finally, with a television camera, it is only possible to examine one face at once, because the simultaneous illumination of two opposite faces would be prejudicial to observation.
  • the ultrasonic sensors and the running coordinates are recorded for their subsequent processing. This is carried out by an informatics system, which passes outside the scope of the invention and will not be described. However, it is pointed out that the informatics system can supply an instantaneous representation of the areas to be examined during the development of the examination and that the processing of data received makes it possible to deduce all the information which is required in connection with the assembly, e.g. the spacing between two rods, the distance between the top of a rod and an end plate, the bending of a rod or the kinking of the assembly. For example, in the case of a row R shown in FIG.
  • the measurement described hereinbefore for a given level can obviously be repeated at different levels.
  • the displacement of the carriage on the vertical beam 36 is controlled by marks on a vertical graduated rule, which serves as a reference.
  • the standard transducer, integral with the carriage 36 supplies a signal when it passes in front of a mark 70.
  • the detection system of the marks 70 operates on the basis of a principle identical to that of a system for detecting the position of the axes of rods 26 described hereinbefore.
  • a row of marks 70 is shown.
  • the lower mark 70a corresponds to a position of probe 64a facing the reference block 28.
  • Mark 70b corresponds to reference O, i.e. to the upper face of reference block 28.
  • the four marks 70A, B, C, D define two inspection areas, namely areas AB and CD of the sound detector.
  • the propagation rate of the ultrasonic waves in a coupling medium, water in the case of the examining machine 8 according to the invention is dependent on a certain number of parameters, such as e.g. the temperature of the water or its boron concentration.
  • the accuracy of the measuring process according to the invention is dependent on the accuracy with which the ultrasonic propagation rate in water is known, it is necessary to correct this value as a function of the various parameters on which it depends.
  • the irradiated assembly 6 gives off a large amount of heat, which reheats the water in which it is immersed. Thus, there is a high temperature gradient about the assembly to be examined.
  • the invention relates to a process for using an examining machine, which takes account of the true propagation rate of the ultrasonic waves in the liquid coupling medium located between the transmitter and the receiver.
  • one of the ultrasonic transmitters-receivers (transducers) 64 located in one of the arms 65 is made to operate as a transmitter and the other transmitter-receiver pair (transducer) 64 located in arm 65 on the other side of the assembly to be examined is made to operate as a receiver.
  • the first ultrasonic transducer 64 transmits an ultrasonic wave, e.g. a pulse, which is received by the second transducer 64.
  • the distance between the transmitter and the receiver is a characteristic of the machine and is very accurately known.
  • this distance takes account of the complete passage of the wave before and after reflection on the two mirrors 62.
  • the distance covered by the ultrasonic wave is known, it is possible to deduce therefrom its propagation rate in water. Consequently it is possible to correct the distance measurements in X and Y of a constituent part of the assembly, such as a rod or grating, in accordance with the process described hereinbefore.
  • This correction of variations in the propagation rate of ultrasonic waves in the liquid coupling medium can be carried out between each measurement, e.g. on scanning two lateral faces of assembly 6 for measuring the positions in X and Y of fuel rods 26.
  • carriage 37 moves in accordance with axis OX
  • the ultrasonic beam passes in front of a row of fuel rods 26, then in front of the gap separating two rows of rods.
  • the examining machine according to the invention also has a third ultrasonic transducer 164 (transmitter-receiver pair), called the reference pair in the remainder of the text, and a vertical standard rule 72 on which are placed reference marks 70. As can be seen in FIG. 5, these marks define inspection areas. Thus, marks 70a and 70b define an inspection area, whilst marks 70c and 70d define a second inspection area of a grid.
  • the reference transmitter-receiver pair 164 is directed towards marks 70.
  • the ultrasonic waves which it transmits are reflected by these marks, when the vertically moving carriage 36 passes in front of one of them.
  • the reception of the ultrasonic echo makes it possible to accurately determine the position of carriage 36 relative to the marks of the standard rule and consequently supplies absolute reference dimensions in Z of the areas to be examined.
  • the examining machine comprises three coders, a coder in X, a coder in Z and an angular coder of the position of support block 28.
  • each coder gives the coordinates of the machine, i.e. the coordinates in X and Z of carriages 37 and 36 respectively, and the angular position of support block 28.
  • carriage 36 has a long travel and there can be a variation or error of the coder between the ends of said travel.
  • the reference transmitter-receiver pair 164 makes it advantageously possible to readjust the information supplied by coder Z on the absolute position along axis OZ of the carriage 36, which it regularly supplies, particularly at the start and finish of each area to be examined.
  • the distance between the transmitter-receiver pair 164 and the marks 70 of rule 72 is very accurately known, because it is a characteristic of the machine.
  • the duration of the outward and return path of the echo of the reference pair 164 makes it possible to deduce the propagation rate of the ultrasonic waves in the coupling medium.
  • the value of this propagation speed can also be used for carrying out corrections on the wave propagation rate. In this case, it will not be necessary to use the arrangement described hereinbefore in which one of the transmitter-receiver pairs 64 functions as a transmitter and the other as a receiver.
  • the duration of the outward and return path of the wave transmitted by the reference pair 164 can also be used for the validation of the echo received by each of the transmitter-receiver (transducer) pairs 64 performing the measurements at X and Y in accordance with the process of the invention. More specifically, this makes it possible to determine the position of the validation gate of the echo received by the pair 64.
  • these measuring pairs 64 receive multiple echoes and not a single echo, because the ultrasonic signal is itself subject to multiple reflections. It is therefore necessary to validate the echo received by means of a validation gate in which is normally present the echo corresponding to a single outward and return path of the wave of pair 64 with respect to the object whose position is to be determined.
  • the positioning of the validation gate takes account of the ultrasonic wave propagation speed in the liquid coupling medium.
  • this speed can vary, as has been stated hereinbefore. It is therefore necessary to correct the position of the validation gate, as a function of the propagation speed. This is obtained on the basis of information from the reference pair 164, which makes it possible to correct the position of the gate, as a function of the wave propagation speed variations in the coupling medium.
  • the examining machine makes it possible to visually examine the six faces of the assembly by means of a television camera and its metrology.
  • Two retractable mirrors respectively a top mirror and a bottom mirror, make it possible to examine the top and bottom of the assembly.
  • the examining machine in particular makes it possible to measure the height of the assembly, the spacing between the ends of the peripheral rods and the end members 20, 22, the position of grids 24, the position of the axis of outer rods 26, the height of springs such as spring 27, as well as the arching and kinking of the assembly.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
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  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
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US06/442,645 1981-11-25 1982-11-18 Process for examining a fuel assembly of a nuclear reactor and an examining machine for performing this process Expired - Fee Related US4605531A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8122063 1981-11-25
FR8122063A FR2517104B1 (fr) 1981-11-25 1981-11-25 Procede d'examen d'un assemblage combustible de reacteur nucleaire et machine d'examen pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procede

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US4605531A true US4605531A (en) 1986-08-12

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US (1) US4605531A (fr)
EP (1) EP0080418B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS58132696A (fr)
KR (1) KR900008662B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE3273677D1 (fr)
FR (1) FR2517104B1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA828502B (fr)

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US4735766A (en) * 1985-07-12 1988-04-05 Brown, Boveri Reaktor Gmbh Method and apparatus for testing vertically extending fuel rods of water-cooled nuclear reactors which are combined in a fuel rod cluster
US4741878A (en) * 1985-08-01 1988-05-03 Fragema Process and device for inspecting control rod clusters for nuclear fuel assemblies
US4847037A (en) * 1986-09-20 1989-07-11 Brown, Boveri Reaktor Gmbh Apparatus for the inspection of nuclear reactor fuel rods
US4892701A (en) * 1986-11-20 1990-01-09 Framatome Device for measuring nuclear reactor fuel assembly grids
US5215706A (en) * 1991-06-05 1993-06-01 Siemens Power Corporation Method and apparatus for ultrasonic testing of nuclear fuel rods employing an alignment guide
US5347551A (en) * 1993-07-09 1994-09-13 General Electric Company Method for examining irradiated fuel bundle spacer springs using fiber-optic visual inspection equipment
US5530728A (en) * 1993-03-11 1996-06-25 British Nuclear Fuels Plc Optical measuring system
US5790617A (en) * 1992-03-26 1998-08-04 Siemens Power Corporation Method and apparatus for detection of failed fuel rods by use of acoustic energy frequency attenuation
DE19945930A1 (de) * 1999-09-24 2001-05-03 Siemens Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Inspizieren eines Kernreaktor-Brennelements
US20050011929A1 (en) * 2003-07-04 2005-01-20 Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires Device and method for controlling the exterior aspect of fuel rods for nuclear reactors
KR100470464B1 (ko) * 2002-04-24 2005-02-07 한국원자력연구소 가압중수로형 핵연료다발 검사장치
US20060193422A1 (en) * 2005-02-14 2006-08-31 Davis Michael D Fuel channel characterization method and device
US20060291608A1 (en) * 2005-06-22 2006-12-28 Davis Michael D Fuel channel characterization method and device
US20070029490A1 (en) * 2003-03-01 2007-02-08 British Nuclear Fuels Plc Measurement
CZ307569B6 (cs) * 2017-10-05 2018-12-12 Centrum Výzkumu Řež S.R.O. Metoda měření deformace palivového souboru pomocí ultrazvuku
US20190198184A1 (en) * 2017-12-26 2019-06-27 Westinghouse Electric Company Llc Method and apparatus for inspecting a fuel assembly
EP3427271A4 (fr) * 2016-03-10 2019-12-04 Westinghouse Electric Company Llc Dispositif de surveillance en temps réel de concentration en bore de système de refroidissement de réacteur utilisant un système de spectroscopie par ultrasons
US11270803B2 (en) * 2017-03-09 2022-03-08 Westinghouse Electric Company Llc Single rod ultrasonic leak detection tool

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DE3337084A1 (de) * 1983-10-12 1985-04-25 Brown Boveri Reaktor GmbH, 6800 Mannheim Verfahren und einrichtung zum auffinden defekter brennstabhuellrohre wassergekuehlter kernreaktoren
US4643867A (en) * 1983-11-21 1987-02-17 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Refueling machine mounted fuel assembly inspection T.V. cameras
US4696784A (en) * 1984-03-28 1987-09-29 Westinghouse Electric Corp. System for manipulating radioactive fuel rods within a nuclear fuel assembly
DE3542200A1 (de) * 1985-11-29 1987-06-04 Bbc Reaktor Gmbh Verfahren zum pruefen der abmessungen eines brennelementes fuer kernreaktoren
US4728483A (en) * 1986-04-24 1988-03-01 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Apparatus for integrated fuel assembly inspection system
JPS62278493A (ja) * 1986-05-28 1987-12-03 動力炉・核燃料開発事業団 燃料集合体の検査装置
US4759897A (en) * 1986-08-29 1988-07-26 Westinghouse Electric Corp. System for determining bow, twist and tilt of a nuclear fuel assembly
FR2685762B1 (fr) * 1991-12-30 1994-02-18 Framatome Dispositif de mesure des deplacements d'elements paralleles, disposes en grappes, et notamment de crayons de controle pour reacteur nucleaire.
KR101906854B1 (ko) * 2017-07-25 2018-10-11 한전원자력연료 주식회사 이동형 핵연료 집합체 구조 변형 측정장비
FR3111422B1 (fr) * 2020-06-16 2023-01-20 Commissariat Energie Atomique Ensemble comprenant une paroi et un système de mesure sans contact d’une déformation de la paroi, et procédé de mesure associé

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DE3020105A1 (de) * 1980-05-27 1981-12-03 Hochtemperatur-Reaktorbau GmbH, 5000 Köln Fernsehkamera fuer die besichtigung von innenraeumen bei kernreaktoranlagen
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Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4735766A (en) * 1985-07-12 1988-04-05 Brown, Boveri Reaktor Gmbh Method and apparatus for testing vertically extending fuel rods of water-cooled nuclear reactors which are combined in a fuel rod cluster
US4741878A (en) * 1985-08-01 1988-05-03 Fragema Process and device for inspecting control rod clusters for nuclear fuel assemblies
US4847037A (en) * 1986-09-20 1989-07-11 Brown, Boveri Reaktor Gmbh Apparatus for the inspection of nuclear reactor fuel rods
US4892701A (en) * 1986-11-20 1990-01-09 Framatome Device for measuring nuclear reactor fuel assembly grids
US5215706A (en) * 1991-06-05 1993-06-01 Siemens Power Corporation Method and apparatus for ultrasonic testing of nuclear fuel rods employing an alignment guide
US5790617A (en) * 1992-03-26 1998-08-04 Siemens Power Corporation Method and apparatus for detection of failed fuel rods by use of acoustic energy frequency attenuation
US5530728A (en) * 1993-03-11 1996-06-25 British Nuclear Fuels Plc Optical measuring system
US5347551A (en) * 1993-07-09 1994-09-13 General Electric Company Method for examining irradiated fuel bundle spacer springs using fiber-optic visual inspection equipment
DE19945930A1 (de) * 1999-09-24 2001-05-03 Siemens Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Inspizieren eines Kernreaktor-Brennelements
US6549600B1 (en) * 1999-09-24 2003-04-15 Framatome Anp Gmbh Method and device for inspecting a fuel element in a nuclear reactor
DE19945930C2 (de) * 1999-09-24 2003-05-28 Framatome Anp Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Inspizieren eines Kernreaktor-Brennelements
KR100470464B1 (ko) * 2002-04-24 2005-02-07 한국원자력연구소 가압중수로형 핵연료다발 검사장치
US7763858B2 (en) * 2003-03-01 2010-07-27 Vt Nuclear Services Limited Apparatus and method for measuring radioactive material in a matrix
US20070029490A1 (en) * 2003-03-01 2007-02-08 British Nuclear Fuels Plc Measurement
US20050011929A1 (en) * 2003-07-04 2005-01-20 Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires Device and method for controlling the exterior aspect of fuel rods for nuclear reactors
US20070092052A1 (en) * 2003-07-04 2007-04-26 Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires Device and method for controlling the exterior aspect of fuel rods for nuclear reactors
US7308069B2 (en) * 2003-07-04 2007-12-11 Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires Device and method for controlling the exterior aspect of fuel rods for nuclear reactors
US7308068B2 (en) * 2003-07-04 2007-12-11 Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires Device and method for controlling the exterior aspect of fuel rods for nuclear reactors
US20060193422A1 (en) * 2005-02-14 2006-08-31 Davis Michael D Fuel channel characterization method and device
US20060291608A1 (en) * 2005-06-22 2006-12-28 Davis Michael D Fuel channel characterization method and device
EP3427271A4 (fr) * 2016-03-10 2019-12-04 Westinghouse Electric Company Llc Dispositif de surveillance en temps réel de concentration en bore de système de refroidissement de réacteur utilisant un système de spectroscopie par ultrasons
US11238996B2 (en) 2016-03-10 2022-02-01 Westinghouse Electric Company Llc Real-time reactor coolant system boron concentration monitor utilizing an ultrasonic spectroscpopy system
US11270803B2 (en) * 2017-03-09 2022-03-08 Westinghouse Electric Company Llc Single rod ultrasonic leak detection tool
CZ307569B6 (cs) * 2017-10-05 2018-12-12 Centrum Výzkumu Řež S.R.O. Metoda měření deformace palivového souboru pomocí ultrazvuku
WO2019069122A1 (fr) * 2017-10-05 2019-04-11 Centrum Vyzkumu Rez, S.R.O. Procédé utilisant des ultrasons pour mesurer la déformation d'un système de combustible
US20190198184A1 (en) * 2017-12-26 2019-06-27 Westinghouse Electric Company Llc Method and apparatus for inspecting a fuel assembly
US11031144B2 (en) * 2017-12-26 2021-06-08 Westinghouse Electric Company Llc Method and apparatus for inspecting a fuel assembly
US20210335512A1 (en) * 2017-12-26 2021-10-28 Westinghouse Electric Company Llc Method and apparatus for inspecting a fuel assembly
US11996205B2 (en) * 2017-12-26 2024-05-28 Westinghouse Electric Company Llc Method and apparatus for inspecting a fuel assembly

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DE3273677D1 (en) 1986-11-13
JPS58132696A (ja) 1983-08-08
FR2517104B1 (fr) 1987-07-24
EP0080418A1 (fr) 1983-06-01
EP0080418B1 (fr) 1986-10-08
KR900008662B1 (ko) 1990-11-26
KR840002571A (ko) 1984-07-02
ZA828502B (en) 1983-09-28
FR2517104A1 (fr) 1983-05-27

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